AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

16 July 2007

Planning for the future of our open spaces

Auckland City Council has introduced a new framework to protect, improve and manage the city’s diverse and distinct open spaces.

The new approach set out in “Our Collective Taonga: Places for people, places for nature” was endorsed by a joint meeting of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee and the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee today.

The document sets out the council’s strategic framework for the long-term management of the city’s parks, urban forests, volcanic landscapes, beaches, gulf islands, streets and town centres.

It was developed in consultation with the community and aims to ensure that we make the most of Auckland’s unique open spaces.

The framework outlines an approach, which seeks to ensure that Auckland city’s open spaces:

- are world-class and celebrate the city’s amazing natural landscape, unique identity and cultural heritage

- offer a diverse range of recreation and lifestyle experiences and activities that provide a first-class visitor experience

- meet local needs, are accessible to all, create pride in Auckland and foster a sense of belonging to the city

- are safe, clean, green and highly valued for their contribution to the city’s sustainability, green infrastructure and ecological systems.

Chairperson of the Environment, Heritage and Urban Form Committee, Councillor Christine Caughey says “Our Collective Taonga” demonstrates the council’s continued commitment to improving open spaces.

“The quality of the natural and urban environment contributes to Aucklanders’ overall quality of life and so we want to do everything possible to ensure our open spaces are of the highest standards and are meeting our communities’ needs.

“This plan is an important piece of work because it sets out the framework for the future protection and management of the city’s open space, which ultimately will lead to a more sustainable city.”

The plan also directly aims to improve opportunities for public recreation and leisure activities in the city’s open spaces.

Six action plans are now in development to support the framework and implement the strategic directions it sets out over a 10-year period. The plans reflect the key elements of the city’s open space network including parks, streets and town centres, urban forests, the Hauraki Gulf islands, coasts and volcanic landscapes.

ENDS

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